Brendan Rodgers has offered his support to Paolo Di Canio after his sacking by
Sunderland, suggesting that he would return to the game a wiser and better
manager.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was sacked by Reading in 2009Photo: John Powell/Getty

By Peter Ferguson

10:00PM BST 28 Sep 2013

Liverpool’s forward-thinking young manager would appear at first glance to be an unlikely supporter of the controversial Italian, whose methods have been subjected to fierce criticism after they left the North East club at the foot of the Premier League.

Di Canio alienated many of his players with his autocratic methods and he was dismissed following a dismal 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion last week.

However, Rodgers, who takes his team to the Stadium of Light today seeking a swift return to early-season form after a disappointing home defeat by Southampton, expects Di Canio to be welcomed back to the game to which “he has devoted his life”.

“You can see his passion and professionalism; a perfectionist isn’t the worst thing to be,” Rodgers said. “I’m sad for him, because I can see what he was trying to do.

"I can see what his vision was, and what he was trying to create. Players are different now. The management of players is totally different to what it was 15 or 20 years ago. You can still tell them what you want, it’s how you deliver it that’s important.

“It’s modern society, not just football. You were told to respect your elders and people in authority. Now you have to debate, to challenge. My daughter comes back from school and she wants to debate, they’re taught to argue!

“He tried to create a culture of work and devotion to your life as a professional footballer. He’s devoting his life to the game, and when you see others not of the same ilk, it can be difficult.”

Rodgers, who was sacked as manager of Reading after six difficult months before returning to lead Swansea City into the Premier League, added: “Hopefully, he’ll go away and reflect on the experience, and come back in to the game. He’ll be better, too. Once you’ve been sacked, although you don’t want to hear it, you come back a better manager.”